About Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1)

NF1 is the most common neurofibromatosis, occurring in 1 in 3,000 to 4,000 individuals in the United States. Although many affected people inherit the disorder, between 30 and 50 percent of new cases result from a spontaneous genetic mutation of unknown cause. Once this mutation has taken place, the mutant gene can be passed to succeeding generations.

What are the signs and symptoms of NF1?

To diagnose NF1, a doctor looks for two or more of the following:

six or more light brown spots on the skin (often called "café-au-lait" spots), measuring more than 5 millimeters in diameter in children or more than 15 millimeters across in adolescents and adults;

two or more neurofibromas, or one plexiform neurofibroma (a neurofibroma that involves many nerves);

freckling in the area of the armpit or the groin;

two or more growths on the iris of the eye (known as Lisch nodules or iris hamartomas);

a tumor on the optic nerve (called an optic nerve glioma)

abnormal development of the spine (scoliosis), the temple (sphenoid) bone of the skull, or the tibia (one of the long bones of the shin);

In the United States, coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease account for nearly 40% of all deaths each year. Coronary heart disease continues to be the leading cause of mortality and a significant cause of morbidity among North Americans. In 2006, coronary heart disease claimed 607 000 lives, translating into about 1 out of every 5 deaths in the United States. High levels of cholesterol, or hypercholesterolemia, are an important risk factor for coronary heart disease. The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, also known as statins, are the most effective class of drugs for lowering serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. They are first-line agents for patients who require drug therapy to reduce serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. The purpose of this review is to compare the benefits and harms of different statins in adults and children with hypercholesterolemia.